Venue change sought in Taglianetti trial

October 12, 2013

MAYVILLE - A motion for a change of venue has been filed in the murder trial of Anthony R. Taglianetti II.

A clerk in the Rochester-based Appellate Division of New York State Supreme Court Fourth Judicial Department confirmed Friday a motion has been filed by Ned Barone, Chautauqua County public defender. The clerk said there is no date set to hear the motion as of yet.

Taglianetti, a former Dale City, Va., resident is charged with driving to New York and shooting Keith Reed Jr., Clymer Central School superintendent, over an alleged affair between Reed and Taglianetti's wife.

Police named Taglianetti a suspect in the Sept. 21, 2012, homicide of Reed. He was taken into custody days later in Virginia, and in December was extradited to Chautauqua County. On Dec. 19, Taglianetti pleaded innocent to a second-degree murder charge. Taglianetti appeared in court in July for pre-trial hearings on evidence and identification.

Jury selection on the case was scheduled to begin Sept. 17, however it was delayed when information was revealed by the district attorney that the public defender had not heard. After another hearing Sept. 18 - in which it was determined the information could be used - jury selection began Sept. 19.

So far, only six jurors are confirmed to have been chosen as a part of jury selection. It was previously indicated that four alternate jurors would be selected in addition to the 12 regular jurors. Jurors have been questioned privately by the public defender, district attorney and Judge John T. Ward.

Barone had no comment regarding the motion. A phone call to David Foley, district attorney, was not returned.